Looking forward to the next 50 years

Fifty years ago, when the Treaties of Rome were signed, who would have thought that they would spark such a success story? It is well worth taking a moment to recall how Europe looked in 1957: scarred by the Second World War, divided by the Cold War, large numbers of its citizens being denied even the most basic freedoms.

Together with the European Coal and Steel Community, founded in 1951, the European Economic Community and Euratom, founded in 1957, have become today’s European Union. European integration has built a remarkable political, economic and social order. It helped bring about, first of all, the peaceful reunification of our continent. It promoted democratic principles and institutions, so that today the citizens of 27 member states live in freedom and peace, with their fundamental rights guaranteed as never before, and in societies where tolerance and diversity are fully respected. It developed freedom of movement between the member states and thus an intertwining of economies and, increasingly, societies. The internal market, the euro, the abolition of border controls: all these form the basis of unprecedented development and prosperity.

I like to refer to the European Union as the first ‘non-imperial empire’ in the history of Europe. It is a union brought about not by force, but by the will of the people. Most importantly, it is a union based on the rule of law, which has replaced the balance of power as the first principle of European policy.

The European Commission has played a crucial part in all these achievements. The key breakthrough in the treaties was to give it a truly unique role. The 50th anniversary is an occasion to acknowledge the role of all those who have worked to build reconciliation and develop European integration. It has been a long and sometimes very difficult path. But thanks to the devotion and determination of those who preceded us, progress was made. They built the solid foundations on which we, and future generations, can build.

But our satisfaction and our pride in what has been achieved must not lead to complacency.

At the very moment when we celebrate this anniversary, Europe faces new challenges. We must seize the momentum achieved by our predecessors to find new answers to new problems – to issues that could not have been anticipated 50 years ago. We need to equip Europe for globalisation – to master the forces changing our world and shape them in ways consistent with our own values. Europe must remain the best place in the world to live. It must shoulder its growing global responsibilities.

Our task is to reconcile prosperity, solidarity and security. It is not by accident that these are the strategic objectives of the present Commission. Our leadership in securing energy provision and tackling climate change is just one illustration of this clear sense of purpose.

We must build tomorrow’s EU. It should be an EU where the distinction between ‘old’ and ‘new’ member states is a fading memory, a Union that is ever closer to the citizen, democratic, transparent and accountable.

This mission demands commitment and effort from us all. As in the past, nothing can be taken for granted. The road ahead will be bumpy. But I still feel that we can set a clear course with confidence – and some humility. Ours is a common endeavour. It is not ‘Brussels’ against the member states.It is ‘Europe for the citizens’. Herein lies its force of persuasion. This force is far from exhausted.

This weekend we celebrate the achievements of the past and look to the future with confidence. At our meeting in Berlin, heads of state and government, the European Commission and the European Parliament will approve a declaration on the future of Europe. Like all birthday cards, it should be short, sincere and pledge our commitments for the future. A Europe of freedom and solidarity that continues to deliver value added for its citizens.